Collaborative Business Items (CoBIs)

Collaborative
Business Items (CoBIs) is an EC funded project which bridges the gap
between enterprise systems and networked embedded systems. Project
partners are: SAP, Infineon, BP, TecO, Lancaster University, University
of Twente and Ambient System.
Christian was the technical platform lead and represented TecO as
the largest academic partner within the consortium.

Synopsis

CoBIs researches the integration of wireless sensor networks in business processes.
Our approach is to bring parts of a business process to execution directly within sensor networks. Collaboration among the sensor nodes enables the execution of complex tasks and
re-integrates the results in backend systems.

Application

The following figures depicts an example of a CoBIs scenario for asset management and workplace safety in industrial environments. CoBIs nodes can collaborativly detect hazardous situations for chemical containments, e.g. wrong storage area, exceeded storage limit, incompatible (inflammable) combination of chemical containments.
In the example below chemical drums are represented by dummies.
The CoBIs nodes detect whether the
storage limit is exceeded or not. Hereby, no backend interaction is
necessary. The CoBIs nodes on the drum replacements execute business
logic and decide collaboratively about hazardous situation.

Fig. Storage limit achieved (condition green)

Fig. Storage limit exceeded (condition red)

At TecO we are working on capabable wireless sensor nodes (Particle nodes) and a service-oriented architecture for integration.
This approach results in an
overarching concept since CoBIs employs not only one platform but many
different. Apart from Particle Computer from TecO, the other platforms
are Infineon's Sindrion platform and Ambient Systems µNodes.
CoBIs can be applied in various scenarios. We especially investigate
safety scenarios from BP involving storage of chemicals and worker
safety. The approach can also be applied to electronic seals.
Finally, this CoBIs scenario was implemented in BP's chemical plant in Hull, UK. The following pictures illustrate the trial.

Fig. CoBIs installation

Fig. CoBIs Installation (close-up, CoBIs Particle Nodes)

Several trials were successfully conducted in 2006 and 2007.

Technology

Requirements for a CoBIs technology are

Sufficient computing power to execute business logic on the items

Wireless communication capabilities to enables collaboration between business items and to organise distributed processes.

Remote update for service deployment, i.e. moving business logic on the items, update and service reorganisation.

Storage for services, but also for intermediate results, sensor data, tracking data, and logging

A possible instance of a CoBIs node is the DigiClip. The picture on the right depicts
the technical characteristic of this node.

Fig. CoBIs Node (DigiClip) (click to enlarge)

Fig. CoBIs Node (CatPart) (click to enlarge)

A second generation, CatPart, of nodes was develop including more sensors and a infrared (IR) location system packaged in a more robost housing for industrial trials. A photo of the hardware is shown on the right picture above.

Results

CoBIs was successfully implemented for a period of several weeks in 2006 and 2007 in one of BP's chemical plant in Hull, UK.
By collaboratively updating the storage state of each service
instance, storage regulations can be checked locally on
each node. Local alarms are then also signalled collaboratively
within a location. The hazardous situation due to
storage violations was recognized within 1 second. According
to BP up to 10 seconds are acceptable. In our experimental
setting, flashing of the bright LEDs indicated
the hazards. Clearly, the advantage is in-situ, real-time
reaction by shortening the communication path and let the
items directly reason on the situation without an permanent connection to a supervisionary backend system.
Relocated business logic utilizing collaboration among the sensor nodes keeps information local within the sensor network.
Collaboration reduces the message load in case of hazardous detection events from
10 messages/s down to 2 messages/s.
The complete history could be downloaded for instance during regular check or maintenance intervals.

Further Readings

CoBIs demonstrators were successfully presented on SAPPHIRE 2005 in
Copenhagen and Bosten and on DKOM 2005. The project was presented in
detail in various SAP and BP magazines. CoBIs passed successfully the
first review meeting March 2005.
A quick overview is presented in a flash video and a SAP TV appearance (Source: CoBIs website).

We successfully published several papers with more details on the CoBIs Architecture. Please refer to: